Keystone Central Okays Tax-Hike Budget; 2.56% Jump in Clinton County

FARWELL—Taxpayers in the Keystone Central School District likely will be looking at their first real estate tax increase in several years.

The school board, on a 6-3 vote Thursday night, approved a $69.45 million budget for the fiscal year starting in July.

It calls for a 2.56 percent property tax increase for district taxpayers residing within Clinton County, 2.02 percent for district residents in Liberty and Curtin Townships of Centre County and 2.88 percent for district residents in Stewardson Township, Potter County.

A majority of the board chose a “middle-ground” approach to three options presented by district business manager Susan Blesh: a no-tax increase budget; what proved to be the approved option calling for the 2.56 percent increase; or a 2.9 percent hike, the latter based on a state-imposed limit without taxpayer referendum approval.

The Thursday vote was an initial one. The school board will look to give final approval at its June 12 meeting at Central Mountain High School. While revisions may be made before a final okay, any tax increase could not be greater than the number approved on Thursday.

Voting for the hike were board members Roger Elling, Butch Knauff, Wayne Koch, Tom Shafer, Deborah Smith and Greg Strouse; voting “no” were board president Jack Peters and members Albert Jones and Charles Rosamilia.

In voting no, Peters said he was torn between meeting district needs and being a good steward of taxpayer dollars. He noted the district has passed balanced budgets the last four years and each year the district year-end fund balance has grown. According to the most recent information the fund balance amounts to more than $20 million.

Figures presented by Blesh said the tax impact on a home valued at $93,300 would amount to a $28.44 increase for Clinton County residents, $82.10 in Centre County and $99.36 for residents in Potter County.